Fraudulent School Websites Target Students, Parents and Educators

Cybercriminals are launching thousands of education-themed fraudulent websites and phishing campaigns ahead of the 2026 academic year, impersonating school-related services to steal personal and financial information from students, parents, and educators. The activity exploits back-to-school processes and the heightened volume of education-related communications during enrollment and term preparation.

Check Point Research reported that educational organizations sustained an average of 4,696 cyberattacks per organization per week from January through July 2026—an 8% increase from the comparable 2025 period and more than double the 2,150 weekly cross-industry average. Education is therefore the most targeted sector globally, requiring schools and families to verify school portals and payment requests before submitting credentials or financial data.